If life is like a box of chocolates, well, we did a lot of living putting together this package. Talking to the city’s top chocolate artisans, visiting patisseries and sampling bonbons and pastries—it’s a tough job, but we’ll do anything for the sake of good reporting. And what we found was that Las Vegas is rich with the sweet stuff, from Strip restaurants offering delectable desserts to neighborhood bakeries just waiting to be discovered. We also spent some time at an artisanal chocolate facility—a bean-to-bar experience that’s the only one of its kind in town—and watched how the magic happens.
But truly, the magic of chocolate is this: In a world with so many differing opinions, the deliciousness of chocolate is one thing upon which we can all agree. It’s a universal language that transcends culture, politics and religion. Give a 1-year-old or a 101-year-old a piece of chocolate, and the response is the same—pure joy. Which is what we hope you’ll get out of this. When you’re done gawking at the pictures, get yourself a decadent treat.
Heaven in a box
Jean-Marie Auboine, who has been perfecting the art of chocolate making for 30 years, is one of the few chocolatiers in the world to prepare his own couverture of handcrafted chocolates from cocoa beans. Step into his Las Vegas shop and be dazzled by bonbons and truffles that look too beautiful to eat. And don’t dare leave without a box of salted caramels, hailed by The New York Times as one of the best in a blind taste test. 4780 W. Harmon Ave. #1, 702-222-0535, jmauboinechocolates.com. –Genevie Durano
Passionate pastries
You know Las Vegas’ food scene has reached next-level status when you have Michelin-star chefs hiding in plain sight. Such is the case with Michael Gillet, who has had a distinguished career in France and the U.S., working with chefs such as Jacques Torres and José Andrés. Chef Gillet opened MG Patisserie & Cafe a couple of years ago on Rainbow Boulevard, where delectable pastries and chocolate treats line the glass shelves. Pair a chocolatine with a latte and bask in the sun on the tables outside, or catch up with a friend during High Tea, where Gillet’s mastery of pastry is on full display. 6365 S. Rainbow Blvd. #101, 702-831-1197, mgpatisserie.com. –Genevie Durano
Exquisite edibles
Thanks to legalization, chocolate edibles are no longer limited to those mysterious brownies some hippie brought to your house party. Today, they are legit culinary cannabis creations, complete with childproof packaging. The Incredibles line of cannabis chocolate bars offers a mix of flavors, such as Mile High Mint, Peanut Budda Buddha and Black Cherry, a CBD/THC mix with cherries and milk and dark chocolate. Or for something different, try OMG THC’s milk chocolate-covered almonds. Just remember to start slowly.
All available at Essence Dispensary, multiple locations, essencevegas.com. –C. Moon Reed
The champ
Declared the No. 1 chocolate dessert in America by the Food Network, Strip House’s 24-layer cake is actually quite modest in appearance. It’s when you cut into it that you see the magic—24 layers of alternating cake and chocolate filling, topped with a layer of semisweet French chocolate ganache. If there’s such a thing as death by chocolate, this is the way to go. Planet Hollywood, 702-737-5200, striphouse.com. –Genevie Durano
Try not to black out!
Leave it to the Venetian’s Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer to offer a chocolate dessert so outrageously indulgent that even the most jaded of locals will take note. The Brooklyn Blackout CrazyShake has a rim of chocolate frosting, which is covered with mini chocolate chips. As if that weren’t enough, it’s then topped with a…
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